Page 4 of The Men of Summer
Don’t get me wrong, she clearly has my best interests at heart, and I don’t regret a dime that I’ve spent on her. When things with Swagger didn’t work out as I’d hoped, I considered calling my former best friend and college roommate, Luke Haywood. Considering our history and his thriving music business in Portland, he was the obvious choice. Talking it over with Zayn made me reconsider my options. Only an unbiased opinion would lead to growth. That’s how I took a chance on Melissa. Her tough reputation and endless connections played in her favor. But today’s different, because today is no ordinary day.
Maybe she forgot about it, and yet, she shouldn’t. When shit hit the fan while I was on tour in Canada, my otherwise stubbornmanager handled the situation with a stunning amount of understanding. She cancelled a few dates, let me flee to Oregon to see my cousin, and never blamed me for losing money because of it. Unfortunately, it was too late. How can you die from a brain aneurysm at twenty-seven?
Recovering from the shock of her death turned out to be a challenge in more ways than one. I blamed myself for the distance I put between my favorite cousin and me. And yet, I ignored my grief and purposefully avoided admitting that I had custody of Jeremy.
I’m such a lucky bastard! Zayn has been nothing short of amazing. Meanwhile, I’ve denied him sex countless times because Jeremy was in a nearby room—our former bedroom. We’ve been camped out on the sofa bed. I even begged him to bring Jeremy back to Seaside, claiming that I wasn’t fit for the job and we couldn’t keep him.“Do you hear yourself?” he’d said, outraged. “He’s not a disposable good, Dante… A dog doesn’t deserve those words. Elsie knew what she was doing, and the judge certified her wishes. Have a little faith in her judgment. Jeremy’s your son now, Dante!”
Yeah, I struggled with the weight of becoming a father. In turn, I started counseling to process my bottomless sorrow. I haven’t quite regained my mojo, nor have I learned to stop freaking out about being a parent, but I’m learning to deal with these issues one step at a time. I’ve been told it might take a while, but I’m in it for the long haul. Zayn and I have our ups and downs, but we’re hanging in there as a team. Eventually, Zayn, Jeremy, and I established a routine, albeit an insular one.
Planning my next album reflected the new me. A father who was supposed to be more responsible.Supposedbeing the operative word here. Zayn is more of a father to Jeremy than I am, and I should rectify that.
Damn, I miss Zayn like crazy.
Our daily video chats haven’t been enough, especially since we’re both in California… So close, yet so far!
I shake my head and stick out my tongue at her. “Yes, Mom…” See, mature me is back! “Remind me why I hired you again?”
“Because I’m damn good at my job, sweetie. Can you believe we’re killing two birds with one stone? This is one of your dream studios…” She makes a big production of gesturing around her. “And I got Brea Sandora to write two songs for your album that she agreed to perform as a duet. No matter how talented you may be, this collaboration is a major opportunity for you to hit it big.”
How could I have forgotten about Brea Sandora? Last year’s young Grammy award winner for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album.
Lost in my pity party, I forgot that was today. Melissa’s undoubtedly excited. I should be too. If only I could have postponed the session, but Brea’s schedule was tight. Melissa’s right, I should be thankful and suck it up.
With that, her phone chimes. She reads the text, grins, and addresses me. “Right on time!” She claps her hands. “Why don’t you fix your attitude and meet us at the café in ten minutes?” She pauses. “By the way, Dante… I didn’t plan on bringing this up, but listen up: I haven’t forgotten that today’s the first anniversary…” She trails off. My jaw ticks, and my heart tightens. “Your son and husband would be proud of you. You’re gonna crush this session with Brea!”
I consider how to explain that Zayn and I haven’t discussed marriage yet. Being a good parent to Jeremy took priority. Being somewhat secluded from the public eye allows me ample privacy in our relationship. The lack of media attention has been the best perk of my career so far.
I open my mouth to speak, but she doesn’t give me the chance. She pecks my cheek and sprints outside. What a tornado of a woman!
The fresh start that Melissa’s partnership offered was for the best, and my future in the industry proved me right. I came out to her soon after we signed the contract; she had to be on board with who I was as an artist and as a person. Zayn prefers to stay in the shadows for the time being, I’m not a big enough fish for the tabloids! I still have a long way to go before I make it big… someday. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves!
I usually take things that matter gradually—my relationship with Zayn being the exception to the rule. I don’t like to rush into things. My music's evolved over the years, thanks to Coachella and the influence of other artists. Truth be told, I’m more of an acoustic guitar kinda guy with an edge than the rock star I embodied as Plot Twist’s guitarist and songwriter. With Zayn and Jeremy by my side, I’m comfortable in my own skin and music nowadays. Having Brea Sandora on board is the icing on the cake. Some say she’s the new Amy Lee, and I can see why, both physically and vocally. The challenge will be to create our own style. Her special timbre will help create something new, not replicate the sounds of others.
Minutes later, I push open the café door and notice Brea and Melissa sitting in a booth near the side window. The latter has her back to me, but Brea waves with a wide smile stretched across her face. Overcome by her striking resemblance to Evanescence’s lead singer in real life, I gawk and stroll towards their table. Brea stands up to greet me, straightening the front of her flowery black and burgundy sundress that makes her auburn hair pop. With my black shorts, red Chucks, and red T-shirt, I feel underdressed, although this place is pretty casual. Suddenly, I don’t know what to do with myself. Without preamble, I encroach on her personal space and engulf her in a hug. “Niceto meet you.” Before letting go, I propose a group picture to immortalize the reunion. They gleefully comply.
Guess who’s gonna brag when this printed pic ends up in Zayn’s latest photo album? Yeah, my man is pretty old-fashioned for a geek.
I scoot into Melissa’s side of the booth. This mundane shot will surely become a favorite souvenir… That is, if Zayn chooses it amongst the selection he prints on a regular basis…
Stealing glances at me while I browse the menu, Brea clears her throat. “Are you always this forthcoming, or is it just me?” Her cheeks are rosy.
Under Melissa’s silent scrutiny, I bite the corner of my lower lip and apologize for my odd behavior. “I just got carried away. I shouldn’t have done that. Meeting you is like a dream come true. I’m a huge fan of your work.”
“No problem”—she shakes her head dismissively—“and thank you. The feeling is mutual ever since I saw you perform at Coachella last year… You had a fantastic stage presence for a first-timer.” It’s my turn to blush. “Too bad you couldn’t make it this year.”Yup, that sucked big time…And my mental state also forbade me from committing to the Seaside Music Festival a couple of weeks ago, for the second time in a row at that. “I’m so glad that Melissa reached out to Nick. I tweaked my schedule a bit; I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with you. You have a beautiful voice and a way with words. TheBoys of Summeris one of my favorite songs! It sounds like a light summer song, but there’s so much more to it, isn’t there? If I’m not mistaken, the boys are in love, right?” I confirm by nodding. “See, that’s what I love about your lyrics: They have layers. The love story is hinted at, and everyone can decide what it’s truly about.”
I’m amazed by the thought she put intomysong. The one Zayn inspired. The one I wrote during our first road trip toCalifornia. The one that scored me a deal with Mister Swagger. Willing my heart to stop hammering in my chest, I listen to the lanky waiter inform us of the specials while squirming in the squeaky leather seat. We discuss the menu options with Melissa, who’s got an amused grin on her tan face. I feel the weight of her stare. She watches me watch Brea, enthralled, as my idol and soon-to-be co-star threads her fingers through her hair. She looks much younger than twenty-four, yet radiates confidence. My pulse trips over itself at the prospect of working with this talented, beautiful, and witty woman.
She leans over the table to whisper, “Can I ask you a personal question?” I nod. “You don’t have to answer me, but I was wondering if the song reflected your own story.”
My heart swells. I appreciate her discretion, although the café is full of celebrities, and the other patrons aren’t paying attention to us. Out of the blue, I confess, “It does. Actually, my boyfriend was the one to suggest our collaboration when he saw me fangirling over you.”
“Smart man.”
CHAPTER 4
NEVER BEEN OVER
Zayn
